Yup Starter clutch, $119.00 from Harley, replaced mine 08 street glide, very easy to do, I would also have battery load tested....

 

btsom.. Yup! Thats what it does. Can't believe the SE comp has gone bad so fast as I replaced it at around 3k miles. Also seen some guys cut groves into the comp to lubricate it better. I'll keep starting it in gear when it is hot until the snow flies and I can yank it apart to see whats going on. No other problems or noises to worry about.
Thanks for all the input!

 

Guess I spoke too early. Installation of the SE comp didn't "fix" the issue but it occurs less frequently now. Dealer says it might be the starter ring gear? I'll have to keep an eye on it.

 

It seems like 1/3 of the dealers want to sell you a new starter, 1/3 want to sell you a new compensator and the last 1/3 want to sell you a new battery.
All for the same noise.
Somebody is full of ****.

 

Hope you figure it out!

 

Thanks for the replys. Put the old comp back in and had the same clunk. Changed the starter drive and same clunk. Cranking the engine and the battery started to prematurally go low. Got a new battery. Problem solved. Never thought that would solve it. Guess the battery had a good surface charge , enough to start the bike but just bad enough for the drive to disengage at the starting moment. Don't know how to express it any better.Just couldn't wait until the snow flies as there is some good riding weather ahead. Anyway...CLUNK is Gone!!

 

Good deal, Thanks for letting us know what it was. I hate that sometimes guys will come on here looking for help then not report the outcome after it's fixed.
Have a great and I hope, very short Winter.

 

Mine has a bang at start-up, but I think that most of the newer bikes do?

 

I don't think Harley built that into the bike on purpose. The clunk in mine is now gone so it starts the way it is supposed to. Also noted, the chain was really tight so I loosened the auto tensioner. Shifts so much better now and not the loud clunk when putting it in gear from neutral.

 

As far as the starter clutch and battery issue, it's related.

Had the same issue on my 08, my indy says it's the starter clutch. He explains it's because Harley changed the starters a few years back, and the starter clutch is different as well. If your battery is going/getting weak, it won't spin the starter fast enough, and the centrifugal clutch starts to slip eventually, and wears out.

I had to replace the battery and the starter clutch, problem solved.